Preface

This is the seventh edition of CSA S16, Design of steel structures. It supersedes the previous limit states editions published in 2001, 1994, 1989, 1984, 1978, and 1974. These seven limit states design editions were preceded by seven working stress design editions published in 1969, 1965, 1961, 1954, 1940, 1930, and 1924. The 1969 working stress design edition was withdrawn in 1984, from which point the design of steel structures in Canada has been carried out using limit states design principles.

This Standard is appropriate for the design of a broad range of structures. It sets out minimum requirements and is expected to be used only by engineers competent in the design of steel structures.

1 Scope and application

1.1 General
This Standard provides rules and requirements for the design, fabrication, and erection of steel structures. The design is based on limit states. The term "steel structures" refers to structural members and frames that consist primarily of structural steel components, including the detail parts, welds, bolts, or other fasteners required in fabrication and erection. This Standard also applies to structural steel components in structures framed in other materials. The clauses related to fabrication and erection, serve to show that design is inextricably a part of the design-fabrication-erection sequence and cannot be considered in isolation. For matters concerning standard practice pertinent to the fabrication and erection of structural steel not covered in this Standard, see Annex A.

1.2 Requirements
Requirements for steel structures such as bridges, antenna towers, offshore structures, and cold-formed steel structural members are given in other CSA Standards.

1.3 Application
This Standard applies unconditionally to steel structures, except that supplementary rules or requirements may be necessary for
(a) unusual types of construction;
(b) mixed systems of construction;
(c) steel structures that
(i) have great height or spans;
(ii) are required to be movable or be readily dismantled;
(iii) are exposed to severe environmental conditions;
(iv) are exposed to severe loads such as those resulting from vehicle impact or explosion;
(v) are required to satisfy aesthetic, architectural, or other requirements of a non-structural nature;
(vi) employ materials or products not listed in Clause 5; or
(vii) have other special features that could affect the design, fabrication, or erection;
(d) tanks, stacks, other platework structures, poles, and piling; and
(e) crane-supporting structures.

1.4 Other standards
The use of other standards for the design of members or parts of steel structures is neither warranted nor acceptable except where specifically directed in this Standard. The formulas provided in this Standard may be supplemented by a rational design based on theory, analysis, and engineering practice acceptable to the regulatory authority, provided that nominal margins (or factors) of safety at least equal to those intended in the provisions of this Standard are maintained. (See Annex B.)